Pokemon makes nostalgic comeback in 'Pokemon GO'

One gaming expert says the app was constructed simply, but gives players a new experience as they play in the augmented reality game.

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Updated: 10:42 AM CDT Jul 16, 2016

Pokemon makes nostalgic comeback in 'Pokemon GO'

One gaming expert says the app was constructed simply, but gives players a new experience as they play in the augmented reality game.

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Updated: 10:42 AM CDT Jul 16, 2016

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WEBVTT RM. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR TO FIND PEOPLE PLAYING THE MOST POPULAR MOBILE GAME IN U.S. HISTORY. WISN 12 NEWS' TIM ELLIOTT GOES ON THE HUNT, TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES THIS TECHNOLOGY TICK. >> TEENAGERS WALKING AROUND WITH THEIR FACES GLUED TO THEIR PHONES, SOMETHING NEW -- NOTHING NEW -EXCEPT THESE TEENS AREN'T , TEXTING OR TWEETING. THEY'RE TRYING TO CATCH POKEMON. >> IT'S A PRETTY AMAZING THING TO HAPPEN IN JUST A FEW DAYS. >> DARYL KIRCHEN IS A PART-TIME INSTRUCTOR AT MATC. HE TEACHES COMPUTER SIMULATION AND GAMING. >> WE ALSO TEACH ALL THE OF PIECES THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THESE KIND OF GAMES. >> HE SAYS THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE APP IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE, GPS PLACES YOU ON A VIRTUAL MAP, BUT THAT'S WHEN THE TECHNOLOGY EVOLVES INTO A.R. OR AUGMENTED REALITY. >> AND THEY ARE BASICALLY USING THE CAMERA'S INFO AS A PASS THROUGH TO THE SCREEN AND THEY PROJECT A POKEMON INTO THAT SPACE. >> NOW THE ONE THING ABOUT POKEMON GO IS THAT IT'S INCREDIBLY ADDICTING. BUT IT IS ALSO VERY DISTRACTING. YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THEIR HEADS DOWN AND THEIR PHONES UP. BUT ONE THING ABOUT THE APP IS THAT IT GETS PEOPLE OUT AND ABOUT TO EXPLORE THE REAL WORLD. >> GOTTEN ME OUT AND ABOUT A LOT SAW PLACES I HAVEN'T SEEN I , DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS PLACE EXISTED. >> 19-YEAR-OLD ELLEN KAMPSCHORER IS CHECKING OUT ONE OF THE LOCAL POKEMON HOTSPOTS, THE SHOREWOOD LIBRARY. >> IT'S KIND OF MAKING IT MORE REAL YOU GET TO GO OUT WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND YOU GET TO MEET A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE WHICH IS , REALLY COOL. >> SO THAT'S THE POINT? TO DO SOME EXPLORING? >> YES TO GET AROUND THE , NEIGHBORHOOD AND LOOK EVERYWHERE. >> AND IT'S NOT JUST FOR KIDS. 18-YEAR-OLD COLLEGE STUDENT IAN DOHERTY GREW UP ON POKEMON. HE SAYS THE RESURGENCE OF THE FRANCHISE IS A PLEASANT THROWBACK TO HIS CHILDHOOD. >> AND ITS' KIND OF COOL TO HAVE AN INTERACTIVE WAY TO PLAY IT AS AN ADULT NOW.

Pokemon makes nostalgic comeback in 'Pokemon GO'

One gaming expert says the app was constructed simply, but gives players a new experience as they play in the augmented reality game.